Loose leaf binder



Dec. 8, 1936. E. o. GREER LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed May 25, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l HHHHW H [nvenlor A [to mej) Dec. 8, 1936.

E. O. GREER LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed May 25, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 8, 1936. E- o. GREER 2,063,548

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Pa z '5 E53 l I I I y f 22 A/ v &,6/J r9.

I 57 5/ L 75 74 2s 34 I I 2/ w E- l\ m Invenlof A Q- g 29 /2 A ttomey Patented Dec. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOOSE LEAF BINDER Elva Otis Greer, Amarillo, Tex.

Application May 23, 1935, Serial No. 23,115

5 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel and improved loose leaf binder adaptable for use in diversified lines of endeavor in that the structure utilized is susceptible of being adequately and satisfactorily incorporated in books ranging from the so-called small stenographers book to comparatively large ledger and. account books.

In keeping with a thought to provide a structure which would remain within the realm of simplicity and economy, I have evolved and produced a structural assemblage characterized by several seemingly distinct refinements and improvements; first, a novel hinge connection between the backing members of the binder, secondly, appreciable different types of looseleaf retention rings wherein said rings: are collapsible to accomplish certain inherent advantages found aptly fitted to a folder or binder of the type shown.

The aforesaid hinge means is especially suitable for the purposes intended, for in certain embodiments it utilizes longitudinally disposed complemental bars or equivalent elements attached to the adjacent edges of the backing members in such a manner as to prevent warping and buckling and retain the desired stability and reinforcement.

Of utmost importance, however, is the split ring construction wherein the rings are, unitarily speaking, composed of companion sections which cooperate in forming a radially expansible and contractible feature calculated to permit the covers or backs of the binder to swing into close overlying relationship when the book is closed, or to swing through arcuate paths sufficient to permit them to be brought into reverse overlying contact, a feature of need and importance especially in stenographers notebooks to expedite checking and reading notes and in ledger and account books where the pages may be spread flat to expedite making and reading entries.

The aforementioned variable flexible rings further are notable as achievements in this line of endeavor, due to the manner in which the adjoining ends are connected together by quickseparable jointing means calculated to expedite application and removal of the leaves without materially subjecting the apertured portions of the leaves to wear and tear.

Other structural features and advantages will be found in the detailed description which is to follow as well as in the summation of features and advantages found in the descriptive matter just prior to introduction of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure l is a fragmentary plan view of a loose leaf binder or folder constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention showing the ring assembly and illustrating in particular the strap attached reinforcing rods or members which serve as effective hinging means for the adjacent or coordinated edges of the backing members.

Figure 2 is a section taken approximately on the plane of the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view at right angles, the section being taken on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a modification in the hinge construction.

Figures 5 and 6 are sections on the lines 5-5 and 66 respectively of Figure 4.

Figure '7 is an enlarged detail sectional view depicting with particularity the quick-separable jointing means between the connectible ends of the sections forming the aforementioned leaf retention rings.

Figure 8 is a further modification showing the diiferent hinge formation utilizing cylindrical rod members to which the backing members are permanently fastened.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view through this particular embodiment with the backing members occupying a position in a plane even with each other which is the normal position when the book is open.

Figure 10 is a view showing the book closed and illustrating how the spring sections of the two-part rings contract or coil upon one another into retracted position in which position slight tension is brought to bear on the backing members to facilitate tight closing.

Figure 11 is a View showing a modification of a ring section.

I will describe first the hinge means, that is the means utilized for connecting the backs of the binder or folder together. Incidentally, the backing members denoted by the numerals H and I2 are duplicate in construction and constructed of appropriate material, that is metal, cardboard, leather or the like. In the arrangement illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 the reinforcing and hinging means comprises a pair of duplicate wooden bars I3 and It, these being attached by pieces of fabric I3a and Mo. to the backing members. This is done by fastening one end of the fabric between the strip and backing as illustrated in Figure 2 and then carrying it over the strip, passing it down through the space between the abutting edges of the backing membersand anchoring it on the exterior surface of the opposed backing member. This provides the desirable retention connection which not only serves to hold the strips [3 and M in place but prevents them from binding due to the flexible and compensating properties resulting from this arrangement. In other words it feeds one bar by the other during certain turning and twisting movements and avoids jamming such as might otherwise occur. The principal idea however is in providing these elongated bars or rods l3 and I4 and suitably attaching them to the edge portions of the abutting backing members so that they are properly hinged together and at the same time reinforced approximately from end to end.

Considering now the hinge means shown in Figures 4 to 6 inclusive, it will be observed that the backing members here are denoted by the numerals i5 and iii, are of customary flat form and may be entirely of metal, stiff fibre or a combination of metal and flexible material such as leather and the like with the metal part of the back comprising a strip along the binding edge of sufficient width to insure the proper working of the rings and the remainder of the back made of flexible material. Struck from the adjacent edge portions i! are up-bent overlapping ears i8 simply pivoted in overlapping relationship as indicated at Hi. This is a simple hinge arrangement. It will be noted that the metal is here shown along the edges ll as provided with parallel upstanding flanges 20 which are in eiTect abutments. These really serve as straight edges and the paper rests against them to prevent an untidy appearance. In other words, certain of the leaves bear against these abutment flanges 29 as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 and this tends to prevent these leaf edges from riding out between the backing members where they are subject to becoming unnecessarily worn and frayed.

In the hinge means shown in Figures 8 to 10 inclusive I have found it expedient and practicable to use cylindrical metal rods or members 2|. These are of duplicate construction and notched on one side, and the adjacent edge portions of the backing members are fastened in the notches. Or stated otherwise, the backing members are directly connected throughout their longitudinal dimensions to the hinge rods. The hinge rods are connected together by connecting plates 22 which fit over small circular projections 22 on the ends of the rods at the center and the plates are fastened in place by simple screws 23. It is evident from this description thus far given that the hinge means may be Variable.

In all forms of the invention I utilize the same type retention ring for the leaves of paper indicated at 24. The leaves are slotted in the usual way to fit on the rings in a more or less conventional manner. The rings instead of being of the usual rigid metal variety are, unitarily speaking, radially expansible and contractible. This principle is shown for example, in Figures 9 and 10 wherein when the book is opened the ring is expanded and when closed as shown in Figure 10 the ring is contracted. This expanding and contracting action provides the desirable collapsible feature which invokes the desired compensating and yieldable properties. Each ring is designated as a unit by the numeral 25 and is made up of a pair of companion sections 26 and 21. Each section is formed of a fiat strip or strap of metal of appropriate tensile strength and resiliency, though in some cases it is desirable to form each section of two or more superimposed strips, as shown at 26 in Figure 11. The anchored ends extend outwardly through passages or slots 28 in the backing members. One strip is fastened on the backing member i2 as illustrated at 29 and the other is reversely fastened as at 30 on the other backing member H. This arrangement can be seen from a consideration of Figures 9 and 10. Considering Figure 7 illustrating in detail the connectible ends of the sections it will be observed that the terminal of the section 21 is laterally bent as indicated at El and apertured to provide a keeper opening or slot 32. The other section 25 has a similarly laterally bent terminal 33 which. terminates in a suitably bent keeper head 34 which extends through the keeper slot and locks separably in place as shown in this particular figure. The features 33 and 34 combine in forming a sort of latch or tang of a headed nature which has quick-separable or detachable connection with the female keeper terminal 3!. By thus separably jointing the adjacent or complemental ends of the parts 26 and 21 and anchoring the opposite ends on the backing members in a more or less alternating and reverse order, I accomplish what I desire: that is, a radially expansible and contractible ring hereinbefore referred to as a collapsible retention ring. Its purpose is obviously to provide the desired flexible and compensating advantages sufficient to allow the backing members to come close together when in book forming relationship or to be swung open to the position illustrated in Figure 9 or swung farther into diverging relationship or even brought around to a complete reversed overlying position. This self adapting ring structure not only provides the desired fastening for the leaves or paper but allows the backing members to be swung to such angular positions with respect to each other as will enable the best results to be obtained whether used in a small stenographers notebook or in other folders and binders ranging up to the large ledger and account books,

As will be seen from Figures 2 and 9 the ring sections are pivotally connected with the backs II and I2 at 29 and 36 but in Figure 6 the connection is rigid as shown at 30. The reason for this diiference in the securing of these ends to the backs is that in Fig. 6, this portion of the ring must be stiff enough to pull the ring thru the slots in the backs and leaves as the book is closed. In the rod type of book (Figures 2 and 9) the rods roll outward against the rings as the book is closed and pull the rings thru the slots in the backs and leaves.

The operation of the book is very simple and needs little explanation. However in opening the rings, if the end of the finger is placed against the female side of the connection, on top of the ring and at the point of union, and pushed downward toward its own side of the book, at an angle of about 45 degrees, from perpendicular when the book is lying flat open and pushed with a quick flip, the ring will fly open. When this method is used in opening the rings, it is no more effort to open the rings than it is to open the rings now on the market with triggers to open them. One apparent objection to this type of ring book over the regular type is that the operator has to take hold of each ring in closing the rings instead of snapping them together with a trigger all at one operation. The only condition under which this will be a handicap would be when several sheets were being put into the book at scattered points. This unnecessary labor can be eliminated by removing all the sheets 75,

from the book and doing all the rearranging and then placing them all back into the book at one time.

It will be noted by close examination, that the holes in the sheets are so punched that the inside of the holes are practically touching the rings on the inside. That is the inside ends of the holes are touching the inside edges of the rings. This makes the sheets turn more easily as the operator will either take hold of the sheet at its bottom edge or the top edge and one end of the sheet will be turned over to the other side ahead of the other end, making a greater distance between the two holes necessary when the sheet is in an angle position across the two rings. If the holes were punched any closer together the hole opposite the place where the hand is, would drag on the outside edge of the ring. The proper way to turn the sheets is to take hold of the sheets at the bottom edge and turn them over rather briskly.

A pair of slotted plates a may be used with each ring, a section of the ring passing through the slots of the plates, and one of these plates is placed under the leaves 24 and the other on top of the topmost leaf, as shown in Figures 4, and 6. These plates prevent the spring from pulling a leaf 24 adjacent the hole therein, into the larger hole in the back, during movement of the parts.

The principal claim for this book is that the sheets will lie absolutely fiat when the book is open and when writing in the book. This is a great advantage in ledgers and journals and all types of books used in book keeping. It eliminates the bowing up of the sheets near the binding side and makes writing in them much easier than in the ordinary type of bound book. The same advantage will be had in this type of book in the small sizes that are used for stenographers notebooks and composition books.

The sheets will turn more easily than in a sewed book because the hub of the book does not have to follow the sheets over as they are turned from one side to the other.

In the stenographers notebook the stiff back can be made to fold back far enough that the notes can be read from. the book standing up, thus eliminating the use of a holder for notes, which is necessary with the ordinary sewed book.

The book can be turned completely back, that is back to back when the book is open, without injuring the binding. In the sewed bound book if this practice is used the binding will soon come apart. This will be of a special advantage in small size books, and books used in the field, where the book must be held in the hand when writing. This class of books would include salesmans order books, salesmans catalogues and price lists, field books of all kinds and in fact any book that is used off a desk.

I would emphasize that the duplex or double sectional ring 25, the principal operation of which is depicted better in Figures 9 and 10, is of outstanding importance from a purely mechanical and structural viewpoint. That is to say the expansible and contractible features which provide the coiling action illustrated in Figure 10 is not only advantageous but is unique and apparently an innovation in this line of endeavor. The quick-separable jointing means depicted especially in Figure 7 is equally important. Then too, the difierent forms of hinge means I believe to be important.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a structure of the class described, a pair of hingedly connected backing members and leaf retention rings, said rings being of a radially expansible and contractible type and having their outer end portions anchored on the exterior surfaces of the backing members adjacent the complemental edges of said backing members.

2. A loose leaf binder comprising a pair of complemental hingedly connected backing members formed adjacent their hinged edges with passages, a pair of arcuate springs having predetermined ends separably connected together in ring forming relationship and having their opposite ends passing through and outwardly beyond said passages, the ends of the respective sections being fastened in reverse order to the edge portions of the backing members in such a manner that the exposed portions thereof are arranged in overlapping coiling relationship.

3. In a structure of the class described, a pair of hingedly connected backing members having passages adjacent their hinged edges, a leaf retention sectional spring ring having its end portions passing through said passages, and means for connecting each end of the ring to that backing member through which the other end portion of the ring passes.

4. In a structure of the class described, a pair of hingedly connected backing members having passages adjacent their hinged edges, a leaf retention sectional spring ring having its end portions passing through said passages, and means for connecting each end of the ring to that backing member through which the other end portion of the ring passes, said ring being formed of two sections, and means for detachably connecting together those ends of the sections which are opposite the ends connected with the backing members.

5. In a structure of the class described, a pair of backing members, means for hinging adjacent edges of the members together, such means including a pair of elongated bars, said backing members having openings therein adjacent their hinged edges, leaf retention rings of spring material, the bars passing through the rings and each ring having end portions passing through certain of the openings in the backing members adjacent their hinged edges, and each end of each ring being connected to that backing member through which the other end portion of the ring passes, each ring being formed of two sections, and means for detachably connecting together the ends of the two sections which are opposite the ends connected with the backing members.

ELVA O. GREER. 

